‘…it feels like lots of different things coming to together… ‘ Steve Clarke/Bass at about 11:56pm last night.

Steve’s comment is the one left ringing in my ears this morning, following an evening jam packed full of warm greetings, tender exchanges and startling performances. Last night was the launch party for the box ep, my third and final offering of 2009, and I really enjoyed myself…thank you!

Michael Clarke opened the event with a collection of beautiful songs and gave us a sneak peak at some new material which contain some of his most poignant lyrics to date. Everyone (myself included) seemed to instantly warm to ‘The Boy and The Buffalo’ and was excited to hear talk of a new album of ‘acoustic stuff’ (let us know when it’s ready Mike!)

Vashti Anna travelled up from North London to join us, and we were treated to her debut show with new drummer/percussionist Alan. She ripped it up. When she performs she appears to lose control (in a good way), and connects with with something ethereal I can’t quite put my finger on but I know is there!

She mountaineers across a varied landscape of moods, from brooding melancholy (think Joan As Police Woman) to the uplifting jam ‘Infatuation’ (think Feist). Drummer Alan accents and follows her lead effortlessly and I am honoured to have witnessed the early stages of what could be a great bond.

My set was funny, with a good bit of banter with a fake moustache wearing heckler early on!

I want to say thank you very much to my band, who played beautifully, what I love the most is the way that they listen as much as play, makes for an interesting and fulfilling conversation! x

Dear friends,

I bought a packet of christmas cards the other day and last night I was very cold in bed (!), two strong indicators that the end of the year is nigh and it is high time I released the box ep, the final part of the trilogy!

I will release the EP with a launch gig at the Glee Club on Friday November 27th. The studio room at the Glee is a beautiful, intimate setting to experience music so I am looking forward to this gig.

Friday Nov. 27 2009
The Glee Club Hurst St, The Arcadian Birmingham B5 4TD
Doors Open 7.30pm. No Entry After 8:15pm
Purchase advance tickets for only £5

There are some very special guests too:

Vashti Anna: I encourage you to take a break, make a cup of tea and have a listen to Vashti’s new EP ‘Stronger in My Skin’. These intimate recordings are performed, produced and recorded by Vashti in her bedroom and reveal a striking, raw talent. West Midlands folk may have seen Vashti previously appear at the Glee Club as a guest of Tom Baxter, she also claims to have learnt to play piano in a cowshed(!) Read more @ BBC.

Michael Clarke:  Going by the name Clarkesville Michael released the critically acclaimed album ‘the Half Chapter’ on Wildstar Records. “The songs I relate to best aren’t the ones that tell me how it is, but let me explore how it is.” Michael is on form and currently recording some of his best work to date with his brother Steve on bass, Stuart Baxter Wilkinson on drums and Birmingham indie- space-rock inventor David Wright on lead guitar. Rogue States have recently released their debut Lights EP. This is a rare opportunity to witness the tender side of Michael’s writing with a personal and exposed solo acoustic set.

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The Box EP

The Balloon: The Bubble & The Box: 3 EPs

The final part of the trilogy is almost complete and will be available to buy at the launch gig on November 27th. In the meantime I have posted 3 songs on my myspace.

If you enjoy discussion about music recordings then read on, if not then I shall say goodbye, it has been a pleasure and I hope to see you at the Glee Club show.

“This is one of the very best releases of the year. Really. I’ve been listening to it on a daily basis for quite some time and it never ever disappoints. Never loses its emotional intensity. Never ceases to surprise with its musical invention.” (Read more) – Steve Morris WCR FM Roots and Branches Show (Thursdays 22:00-00:00).

I have been working on the songs for this EP for sometime (though I do hate that phrase ‘working’ and prefer to think of it as growing). The oldest song is ‘Right Here’ which was written in 2000 and is the ‘title track’ of sorts as it refers to the box in the lyric (keen listeners may have noticed a theme running through the last track on all 3 EPs… No? listen more carefully!)

Box recording sessions began in February this year and thanks largely to the patience and commitment of sound engineer Ryan Pinson progress has continued steadily, through ’til the final session last week.

The production of the EP was a real collaborative effort; and I owe a depth of gratitude to the group of musicians that have come to form my ‘core band’ of John Large drums, Steve Clarke bass, June Mori Piano and Tom Bounford on Violin. We rehearsed, arranged and recorded the structure of the songs mostly live in the studio, before inviting several different musicians to contribute.

Highlights included a spaced out Sunday morning of tape delay/space echo lead guitar from David Wright (Rogue States) on ‘If I Grow Old’, knock out gospel from soul sisters Yvonne and Margerat Gordon on ‘Right Here’, the sort of perspective shifting ideas and electrified experimentation that I have grown to expect from Andy Bole and a grand finale of an impromptu choir hosted by the Turnstyle Theatre Group.

I am particularly pleased with the song Where Is The Love?  co written with Eric Barlow and featuring the voice of Carina Round and pedal steel of BJ Cole.

Once you have had a chance to listen and digest the new music do feel free to share your thoughts in person or online.

I also welcome any suggestions of other musicians you think I should collaborate with or play gigs with, get in touch.

All the best

Dan

Dear All,

The Box EP is almost complete! 

I will celebrate this release with a special show in the studio theatre of The Glee Club Birmingham.

Vashti Anna and Michael Clarke have kindly agreed to perform as very special guests.

Vashti is currently touring with Charlie Winston and has previously supported Tom Baxter at the Glee. Michael is lead singer with Rogue States who have just released their debut Lights EP.

Tickets are 5 GBPin advance from the Glee Club site.

Thank you to all those that come to see the band and I perform this year and bought the first two EPs.

Hope to see you at this grand finale!

Dan x